520 hours and 13 minutes. That's the amount of time that we have spent breastfeeding for the last 18 months. (Yes, I'm anal and still tracked all of their feedings even though I didn't need to.)
The years that we were trying to get pregnant, one thing that I always prayed I could experience was breastfeeding. But, I didn't know if that would ever be possible.
Then God answered the cry of my heart and I was pregnant! And, not just with one miracle but TWO! Breastfeeding two...would that ever be possible?
My two teeny nuggets were born 5 weeks early and with low birth weight. We faced some challenges in the beginning, but with the help of our awesome lactation consultants and my rock star babies, we were doing it. We were breastfeeding! And my girls were eating and gaining and thriving, despite our early challenges.
We made it through mastitis, twice. We made it through thrush. We made it through feeding every. three. hours...nursing, pumping, bottle feeding what was pumped after nursing, for the first five weeks...we made it.
We made it all the way to 18 months! I couldn't be prouder of my girls! My heart is full of thankfulness for the many, many hours that we spent together, all three of us bonding. I have so many wonderful memories that I will cherish forever. I remember the way Emery would play with her hair, or Kinley's hair. The way they would both play with my hair. Falling asleep on the giant nursing pillow after a feeding and we'd all just lay there. Lugging the giant nursing pillow with us whenever we went somewhere so I could feed in the back of the van. Kinley going through a phase where she'd just roll off the pillow when she was done feeding. Kinley playing with and cuddling her lovey while feeding. And, so many more.
WOW! Amazing post Faith! What a comittment! Good job Mama!
ReplyDeleteSERIOUS commitment! Beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteprecious!! I, too, know the wonderful experience of breastfeeding my babies. My baby girl is one today and I have been getting a lot of questions about when I plan on weaning her...after reading your words, I am in no hurry. We probably won't have any more and she is so content just how she is now...I'm going to enjoy it! Awesome and encouraging post.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good momma you are....
ReplyDeleteyou will never regret those 520 hours and 13 minutes! those will always be the sweetest memories. jensen and i are finished too and now he seems like a sweet boy. 18 months is my favorite age and I'm sure you will enjoy it too with your girls. now the days will really fly by, but you will have so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI mean big boy, not sweet boy. he literally overnight turned into a toddler after nursing stopped. but he is super sweet too!
ReplyDeleteGOOD JOB MAMA!! Nursing ONE baby for that amount of time is a commitment, but two is tough work!! Also, I love that you have all the time tracked!!
ReplyDeleteWow! I am very impressed Faith. I didn't get that far nursing either of mine solo :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, this post made me cry.
way to go Faith!!! you ladies are awesome!
ReplyDeleteI'm crying. These pictures are so sweet and this post...so sweet.
ReplyDeleteI've always said you are a rock star mama and this is just one of the reasons why. Nursing one baby for any amount of time is so very hard and you made it 18 months with two!! So very proud of you. Love you!!
I was SO READY to be done nursing James (he's the oldest), but with Will I was SO SAD. I cried, too. I just assume he's likely my last baby and I wasn't ready to not have a baby anymore. Props to you for making it 18 months x 2! You are the rock star, mama!
ReplyDeleteI do not understand why I am crying, but I am. I love this post, Faith.
ReplyDeleteBelén
Faith,
ReplyDeleteI know what a commitment breastfeeding just ONE baby is and also, what a rewarding experience it is. All of the nursing staff in the hospital thought that you were a "Rock Star Momma" when you had natural childbirth with these precious miracles....they didn't know the half of it! To be able to feed TWO babies for 18 months is definitely something to be proud of. (And don't forget your crazy momma waking up and running into your room thinking it was time to feed again when we had just fed them a few minutes before! LOL)
I think it is so awesome that you are so organized and have "chronicled" every milestone in these girls lives so far. They have no clue yet what an awesome mother they have been blessed with. And props to Chad, too....he has been such an awesome Dad and so helpful. Just think of all the times he has burped, changed diapers to get them ready, lugged the breastfeeding pillow around, etc! This is such a great accomplishment for all 4 of y'all! Love you all!
You are amazing Mama! It is truly a gift and I can see you realize how blessed you are to have been able to provide for your girls for so long! 18 months is amazing! And you will always miss it a little. Your girls are beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteI stopped over from another Blog I follow. This was so precious and brought tears to my eyes. I can't wait to be a mom someday. Your little girls are truly gifts from God.
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